Rise Community Church

In this powerful exploration of Ephesians, we're challenged to embrace our identity as a new humanity in Christ. The central message revolves around God's grand plan to unify all things under Jesus, breaking down barriers that divide us. We're reminded that before Christ, we were spiritually dead, disconnected from God and each other. But through His love and grace, we've been made alive and brought near. The imagery of passing through the cross as a gateway to become part of this new humanity is particularly striking. It calls us to live worthy of this calling, embodying humility, gentleness, and patience. As we reflect on this, let's consider: How can we actively participate in God's unifying work? Are we truly living as new creations, or are we still clinging to old divisions? This message challenges us to see beyond our differences and recognize our shared identity in Christ, urging us to be agents of reconciliation in a fragmented world.

The book of Ephesians offers timeless wisdom and practical guidance for believers seeking to live out their faith in a diverse and often divided world. Written by the Apostle Paul, this letter to the church in Ephesus emphasizes the transformative power of Jesus’ work on the cross and God’s vision for a unified humanity. Paul challenges followers of Jesus to embrace their new identity, overcome barriers of ethnicity and culture, and reflect Christ’s love in their daily lives.

This Christmas season, we're invited to look beyond the cozy nativity scenes and delve into the challenging journey of Mary and Joseph. The story of Jesus' birth, as recounted in Luke 2 and Matthew 1, reveals a profound truth: God's plans often disrupt our comfort, leading us into unexpected adventures. Mary and Joseph faced social stigma, doubt, and isolation, yet their faithfulness paved the way for humanity's salvation. This narrative reminds us that following God's call may lead us through difficult paths, but as Romans 8:18 assures us, our present sufferings pale in comparison to the glory that awaits. As we reflect on their story, we're challenged to consider how we respond to God's disruptive yet transformative plans in our own lives.

In this powerful message, we delve into the timeless story of Mary and Martha from Luke 10:38-42. This familiar tale challenges us to examine our spiritual priorities amidst life's constant demands. Are we, like Martha, distracted by the busyness of service, or are we, like Mary, choosing the 'better part' by sitting at Jesus' feet? The message reminds us that while service is important, our relationship with Christ should always come first. We're encouraged to reflect on how often we allow life's distractions to pull us away from our spiritual needs, potentially leaving us unprepared for life's inevitable storms. The speaker draws an interesting parallel between our spiritual and physical needs, urging us to 'fill our spiritual tank' as diligently as we attend to our physical needs. This message is a wake-up call for all of us to reassess our priorities and to choose, like Mary, to draw closer to Jesus amidst life's chaos.

Pastor Frank teaches on the importance of living in community, and how we should all strive to be a grape, rather than a marble.